Flames News

Hartley intends to bring Cloutier on board

CALGARY, AB -- New Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley announced on Thursday that he intends on bringing Jacques Cloutier on as a member of the coaching staff next year.

"Jacques will be following me," Hartley told CalgaryFlames.com. "He will be joining the Flames coaching staff."

While it is Hartley's intention to have Cloutier as a member of his staff, at this point in time Cloutier does not have a contract with the Flames.

Hartley and Cloutier have worked extensively with one another over the last ten years. Cloutier was a member of the Colorado Avalanche's coaching staff during Hartley's time in Denver and was the assistant coach during Hartley's tenure with the ZSC Lions. He also worked with Hartley in the AHL, acting as the Cornwall Aces assistant coach while Hartley was the head coach.

In addition to his wealth of experience behind the bench, Cloutier is a retired NHL netminder who played in 255 games. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round (55th overall) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.

Cloutier spent four seasons in the QMJHL with the Trois Rivieres Draveurs, playing 222 games. After finishing off his junior career, he spent the majority of the next seven years in the AHL with the Rochester Americans.

In the 1986-87 season, Cloutier started 40 games for the Sabres and established himself as an NHL netminder. Over the next two seasons, he split the goaltending duties with Tom Barrasso and Daren Puppa.

Cloutier was traded to Chicago during the 1989-90 campaign and spent two seasons with the organization. He was dealt to Quebec Nordiques and played for them for four seasons before retiring in 1994.